Re: Dose Limit for "women of reproductive age"?

["J. J. Rozental" <josrozen@netmedia.net.il>]

At 12:20 PM 3/12/99 -0600, you wrote:
>> In report EAR MOW 98-027 there is a reference to 5 women receiving doses in
>> excess of the maximum permissible value for women of reproductive age.
>
>NOt sure what this report is in reference to? As far as I know, in 
>the USA, the regulations do not differentiate between sexes, i.e., 
>there are no regulatory limits specifically for one group, to the 
>other. The only reduced dose limit is for the "Declared Pregnant 
>Female" and that is 500 mrem during the entire gestation period. If 
>there is no declaration, a pregnant female is subject to the same 
>limits as provided for all occupational workers. Perhaps I missed 
>something by not seeing this reference. The statement seems to 
>be in error when it states "women receiving doses in
>> excess of the maximum permissible value for women of 
>reproductive age." I believe this can only be accurate if they are 
>"declared", and not just within a certain age bracket. That is 
>discrimination, clear and simple.
>
>
>Sandy Perle


IAEA BSS Safety Series 115, states, page 35

1.17  - The notification of pregnancy shall not be considered a reason to
exclude a female worker from work; however, the employer of a female worker
who has notified pregnancy shall adapt the working conditions  in respect of
occupational exposure so as to ensure that the embryo or foetus is afforded
the same brroad level of protection as required for members of the public.

J.J. Rozental
<josrozen@netmedia.net.il>
Israel

jjrozental

************************************************************************
The RADSAFE Frequently Asked Questions list, archives and subscription
information can be accessed at http://www.ehs.uiuc.edu/~rad/radsafe.html